Box construction with a brad nailer

[djg]

Particle board, buttjoints, biscuits, veneer. Jus' sayin'

[KEtheredge87]

My only issue using brads with MDF joints near the corners is that I am inconsistent with my brad placement. If I end up too close to the edge, it may not shoot out the side, but I have definitely encountered both MDF and plywood bulging out where the brad has displaced wood fibers upon entry. It's subtle most of the time... but highly annoying and not something I want to spend time trying to sand flat again before moving on. You'd HAVE to sand it flat too... I wouldn't want to use a flush trim bit with the wavy surface... that'll just give a wavy edge that STILL needs to be sanded.

[stephenmarklay]

Particle board, buttjoints, biscuits, veneer. Jus' sayin'

Djg, do you veneer both sides of the panels?

[djg]

No. I've done 3 pairs of speakers in the same fake miter joint style.

Sapele Sopranos - Techtalk Speaker Building, Audio, Video Discussion Forum

[stephenmarklay]

No. I've done 3 pairs of speakers in the same fake miter joint style.

Sapele Sopranos - Techtalk Speaker Building, Audio, Video Discussion Forum

Well they look great! Every time I read up on veneering, it says to do both sides for stability and then I wrinkle my nose and go a different direction… Maybe one day

[billfitzmaurice]

Veneering one side of MDF will have zero effect on stability.

[stephenmarklay]

Veneering one side of MDF will have zero effect on stability.

Thanks Bill. Is that concern something that is a problem on other types of wood but not MDF?

[billfitzmaurice]

I never worry about veneer causing warp, because my cabs are braced well enough that they can't even vibrate, let alone warp. I can see the warning about warping being useful with furniture, but not speakers.

[skatz]

I'll report back after I've used the bits, I just ordered a set yesterday. And it will be warmer weather before I even consider it. But I think it solves several problems. It may cost some time, but so do other procedures and especially mistakes. I'm sure it takes longer than butt joints, but if I don't have to deal with end grain showing or telegraphing through veneer, it may save time there. So we'll see.
Bill, I think it takes some audacity to tell me how I'm going to behave in the future, since we've never even met!

[billfitzmaurice]

It comes out of been there, done that.

[djg]

I've done several cabs with PSA veneer over buttjointed particle board and mdf. I took care to ensure the surfaces were all flat. I have not experienced any ghosting of the joints. Just careful sanding with a DA sander.